Responding to IP call with a prompt to select an extension and routing packets to IP phone at selected extension

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for providing multiple telephone lines using a single directory number. A method and apparatus for associating multiple directory numbers with multiple telephone lines. A broadband residential gateway (BRG) is a user interface to a broadband communication system providing packetized telephone service and other media services. The BRG has multiple ports, and each port is connected to one or more telephones. The multiple ports may be mapped to a single directory number, or the multiple ports may be mapped to multiple directory numbers. The BRG can provide greeting and message features. A greeting may instruct a caller to select a port which is associated with a party the caller is attempting to reach. Also, a message, played after the greeting, may further instruct the caller.

This is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 11/649,054, filedJan. 3, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,564,839, which is a continuation ofprior application Ser. No. 09/475,206 filed Dec. 30, 1999 now U.S. Pat.No. 7,180,889, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

A cross-reference of related applications are provided at the end of theDetailed Description of Preferred Embodiments section of the presentapplication.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to communication between users in diversecommunication systems, and more particularly, to providing a broadbandcommunication system including an Internet Protocol Telephony Networkand public switched telephone network.

In addition, the present invention further relates to a user interfacefor the communication system, and more particularly to an interface unitproviding multiple telephone lines associated with one or more directorynumbers and enhanced greeting and message features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present day telephony voice networks, have a network built aroundcircuit switches, end offices, a toll network, tandem switches, andtwisted wires. These voice networks are referred to as a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) or plain old telephone service (POTS). Due tobandwidth limitations of plain old telephone service (POTS), there is aninherent inability to efficiently integrate multiple types of media suchas telephony, data communication for personal computers (PC), andtelevision (TV) broadcasts. Accordingly, a new broadband architecture isrequired. This new architecture gives rise to a new array of userservices.

Presently the world is running out of telephone directory numbers (DNs)and IP addresses. For example, there has recently been a need tointroduce new DN area codes and redistribute existing DN area codes inorder to accommodate additional lines for PSTN users in the UnitedStates. Thus, a need exists to provide additional lines without usingadditional DNs to identify additional lines. A flexible user interfacefor the new broadband architecture supporting voice service has thecapability to provide multiple user telephone lines associated with asingle DN.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention include providing broadband access capabilitiesor enhanced services for use in conjunction with a packetized networksuch as an Internet Protocol (IP) based system infrastructure.

Other aspects of the invention include providing one or more of thefollowing either individually, or in any combination or subcombination:

a new broadband architecture;

broadband network capabilities, including local access;

enhanced services for use in conjunction with a packetized network suchas an Internet Protocol (IP) based system infrastructure;

a user interface for use the new broadband architecture supportingpacketized voice service which has the capability to accommodatemultiple telephone lines associated with a single DN;

a user interface for the new broadband architecture which has thecapability to accommodate multiple telephone lines associated withmultiple DNs;

a user interface with ports readily connected to plain old telephones(POTS);

a user interface which provides a distinct alert for each telephoneline; and

a user interface which provides enhanced greeting and message features.

A need exists to reduce the number of DNs. The user interface of thepresent invention can accommodate multiple telephone lines using asingle DN. Thus, the user interface limits the need to introduce new DNarea codes and redistribute existing DN area codes in order toaccommodate additional telephone lines for PSTN users. In addition,using a single DN for multiple lines will save customers money, since acustomer will only be charged for a single DN. Furthermore, the userinterface may be configured to accommodate multiple lines associatedwith multiple DNs. A business or a residence may require more than onetelephone number. Thus, configuring the user interface to accommodatemultiple DNs for multiple lines can satisfy customer needs. Also, thepresent invention provides a user interface device for packetized voiceservice which may accommodate conventional POTS telephones as well asother end user devices.

Although the invention has been defined using the appended claims, theseclaims are exemplary and limiting to the extent that the invention ismeant to include one or more elements from the apparatus and methodsdescribed herein and in the applications incorporated by reference inany combination or subcombination. Accordingly, there are any number ofalternative combinations for defining the invention, which incorporateone or more elements from the specification (including the drawings,claims, and applications incorporated by reference) in any combinationsor subcombinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a broadband network (e.g.broadband IP based network) in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a centralizedcontrol (IP central station) in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a localcontrol apparatus (broadband residential gateway) in accordance withaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed schematic representation of an exemplaryembodiment of the broadband network shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a typical on-network tooff-network call according to one preferred method of operating thebroadband network shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a typical on-network toon-network call according to one preferred method of operating thebroadband network shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the Broadband Residential Gateway inaccordance with further preferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart for a method of directing an incoming callwhen one directory number is mapped to multiple ports on a BRG.

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart for a method of directing an incoming callwhen multiple directory numbers are mapped to multiple ports on a BRG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A new system is provided for broadband access and applications. Unlessotherwise indicated by the appended claims, the present invention is notlimited to the preferred embodiments described in this section but isapplicable to other integrated multimedia communication systems.

I. Integrated Communication System Overview

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a broadband network 1.The broadband network generally provides interconnection between aplurality of customer locations utilizing various interconnectionarchitectures including Internet Protocol (IP) based network, variousexisting systems (legacy systems) such as the public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN), ATM networks, the Internet, signaling networks, as wellas other systems. The broadband network provides versatile intelligentconduits that may carry, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) telephonyor multimedia signals between the customer premises over, for example,the public switched telephone network, Internet, or wirelesscommunication networks.

Again referring to FIG. 1, the broadband network 1 may include one ormore customer premises equipment (CPE) units 102. The customer premiseequipment 102 may be variously configured. In one example, the customerpremise equipment 102 may include one or more local control devices suchas a broadband residential gateway (BRG) 300. Although the broadbandresidential gateway is preferably disposed in a residence for manyaspects of the invention, in exemplary embodiments, it may also bedisposed in a business or other location. The broadband residentialgateway 300 may be variously configured to provide one or moreintegrated communication interfaces to other devices within the customerpremise equipment 102 such as televisions (TV), personal computers (PC),plain old telephone system (POTS) phone(s), video phones, IP enabledphones, and other devices. For example, the broadband residentialgateway 300 may provide one or more telephone port connections (e.g.,plain old telephone system), Ethernet connections, coaxial connections,fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) connections, wireless local areanetwork (LAN) connections, firewire connections, and/or otherconnections to a plurality of devices such as plain old telephones, IPbased phones, digital ISDN phones, television converters, e.g., cabletelevision (CATV) set top devices, televisions, digital televisions,high definition televisions (HDTV), video phones, and other devices. Inexemplary embodiments, the broadband residential gateway 300 may supportcommunications between any of the aforementioned devices inintra-premises calling and/or extra-premises calling. Further, when thebroadband residential gateway 300 is used in a business environment, itcan function as a private branch exchange or key type telephone system.In addition, the BRG is a flexible user interface which may beconfigured to provide multiple user telephone lines associated with asingle DN. A user may be charged by a telephone utility for each DN.Thus, configuring the BRG to associate multiple lines with a single DNcan be less expensive than having multiple DNs for a single user.Alternatively, the BRG may be configured so multiple DNs identify theBRG.

In FIG. 1, broadband residential gateway 300 is illustrated as a singlephysical device. This configuration is appropriate where centralizationof maintenance and control is desirable. Alternatively, the broadbandresidential gateway 300 may be separated into more than one physicaldevice allowing functionality to be distributed to a plurality ofdifferent physical locations in the customer premise and/or broadbandnetwork 1. However, in many embodiments, having a centralized broadbandresidential gateway 300 located in a single location provides ease ofmaintenance, control, and re-configuration as well as a reduction incost due to shared functionality. For example, the broadband residentialgateway may be configured to provide the intelligence needed to alloweach of the customer premises equipment devices to operate within thebroadband network 1. For example, analog voice may be converted todigital data and packetized for transmission in an appropriate outputprotocol such as an Internet protocol (IP).

In exemplary embodiments, the broadband residential gateway 300 mayfunction to couple devices within the customer premise equipment 102 tothe rest of the broadband network 1 using any suitable broadbandcommunication mechanism. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, thebroadband residential gateway 300 utilizes a hybrid fiber-coaxial plant112 to couple the broadband residential gateway 300 to the rest of thebroadband network 1. The hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112 may be preferredin many embodiments over other broadband communication mechanismsbecause of the large number of homes currently connected to cablenetworks, the capacity for shared access, and the ability for asymmetricdata access speeds which allow high quantities of data to be distributedto the various devices in the customer premises equipment 112. Thehybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112 may include coaxial cable and/or opticalfiber networks in any suitable combination. The hybrid fiber-coaxialplant 112 may provide an intelligent broadband conduit between thebroadband residential gateway 300 and a gateway such as the head-end hub(HEH) 115. The head-end hub 115 may be variously configured to providevarious services and/or interconnections with the rest of the broadbandnetwork 1. For example, the head-end hub 115 may provide aninterconnection point to gather and aggregate external services (e.g.,off air and satellite video, public switched telephone network voice,multimedia messages, and Internet data) for distribution to and from thehybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112. With respect to telephony and multimediacalls, the head-end hub 115 may function as intelligent conduit forconnection and communication between the hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112and external networks such as an IP network 120 and/or an ATM/framerelay/cell relay network 185.

The broadband network 1 may include any number of interconnectedhead-end hubs 115, IP networks 120, and/or ATM networks 185. Further,the IP network 120 and/or ATM network 185 may be connected to one ormore other networks and devices such as:

-   -   (1) external networks including a public switched telephone        network (PSTN) 160, a signaling system 7 (SS7) network 170, an        Internet 180, and/or a wireless network 144;    -   (2) various components including one or more private branch        exchanges 146, terminals 142 including computers and wireless        devices, and/or one or more stand alone broadband residential        gateway 300;    -   (3) one or more administration centers 155;    -   (4) one or more secure network management data networks 190 such        as a network operations center (NOC);    -   (5) one or more billing systems 195 such as OSS; and/or    -   (6) one or more centralized control centers such as what is        referred to as an IP central station 200.

The IP network 120 and/or ATM network 185 may include one or morerouters and/or other devices to route, for example, telephony calls,multimedia calls, signaling messages, administrative messages,programming messages and/or computer data between the various devices inthe broadband network 1 such as the head-end hub 115, the publicswitched telephone network 160, the private branch exchange (PBX) 146,as well as the other devices discussed above. In preferred embodiments,the information traveling in the IP network 120 may be packetized andformatted in accordance with one of the Internet protocols. The IPnetwork 120 may also include gateways to interface with the variousother networks and/or devices. For example, the gateways may bedistributed at the edge of the IP network where the IP networkinterfaces with one of the other devices or networks. Alternatively, thegateways interfacing the IP central station 200 to, for example, theInternet 180, public switched telephone network (PSTN) 160, signalingsystem 7 (SS7) 170, wireless networks 144, ATM/frame/cell relay networks185 may be provided in the IP central station 200, or in both the IPnetwork 120 and the IP central station 200, and/or partially distributedbetween the IP network 120 and the IP central station 200. Where thegateways are separated by an IP network 200, an appropriate transportprotocol may be utilized to logically connect the IP central station 200to the particular gateway.

The IP central station(s) 200 may be connected to, for example, one ormore IP networks 120, ATM networks 185, secure management data networks190, and/or administration centers 155. The IP central station 200 maybe variously configured to include one or more servers and/or one ormore gateways. In exemplary embodiments, the servers and gatewaysprovide the necessary intelligence and traffic management capabilitiesto enable information, e.g., IP telephony signals, to travel through thebroadband network 1. For example, the IP central station 200 may beconfigured to manage voice information transfer from the public switchedtelephone network 160, through the IP network 120, and into and out ofone or more devices such as those connected to a broadband residentialgateway 300. The IP central station may be configured to store variouscontrol and system information such as location, address, and/orconfigurations of one or more broadband residential gateways 300, aswell as other routing and call set-up information.

In exemplary embodiments, one or more administration centers 155 may beconnected to the IP network 120 and provide billing and local directorynumber portability administration. The local number portability may behandled by one or more Local Service Management System (LSMS) which maybe included in the administration center 155 and/or in the IP centralstation 200. Further, the Secure Management Data Network 190 may alsoinclude a mechanism for transferring various information such asbilling, call tracking, and/or customer service provisioning. Variousexisting systems may be utilized to provide this information such asexisting billing systems (OSS) 195 and/or one or more network operationscenter (NOC). The network operations centers may be included in theadministration center 155, the IP central station 200, and/or thebilling system 195. The network operations center (NOC) may be variouslyconfigured to include a translation server to allow communications withthe various disparate entities (e.g., legacy systems) in the broadbandnetwork 1.

The IP network 120 and/or the ATM network 185 illustrated in FIG. 1 mayinclude one or a plurality of sub-networks. Each of the sub-networks mayinclude its own IP central station 200 in a distributed configuration,with certain routing data replicated across all IP central stations oreach sub-network may be connected to a single centralized IP centralstation 200. Where the IP network 120 includes one or more sub-networks,each sub-network may be connected to multiple head-end hubs 115.Further, each head-end hub 115 may be connected to multiple hybridfiber-coaxial plants 112, and each hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112 may beconnected to multiple pieces of customer premises equipment 102 and/orbroadband residential gateways 300. The IP network 120 provides aninterconnected broadband network which may be utilized to transport androute packetized information to and from diverse geographic locationsand may be used on a national or international basis. Further, the IPnetwork 120 and/or ATM network 185 may utilize private networkfacilities and/or may be provisioned over a shared network such as theInternet.

The IP central station 200 may be configured to provide connectivity forthe broadband residential gateway 300 to the Internet 180 (e.g., WorldWide Web (www)), as well as connectivity to other external networks suchas public switched telephone network 160 and signaling system 7 (SS7)170 for end-to-end voice, multimedia, and data applications, for examplevoice over IP telephony. IP packets traveling through the IP networkprovide for priority so that, for example, voice packets are givenpriority over data packets to maintain certain VoIP telephony QoSrequirements and a leased line concept for packet traffic which may havean even higher priority. However, the system is sufficiently flexible sothat the priority can be dynamically altered according to customerpreferences, variable billing rates, traffic patterns, and/orcongestion.

A. Internet Protocol Central Station

Referring to FIG. 2, the IP central station 200 may be variouslyconfigured. In preferred embodiments, it may be configured to ensureseamless integration of IP based communication system including the IPnetwork 120 with the public switched telephone network 160, signalingsystem 7 (SS7) network 170, and the Internet 180 so that packetizeddata, for example, voice calls and information data, is properlytransferred between the broadband residential gateway 300, the publicswitched telephone network 160 and/or the Internet 180. In oneembodiment, the hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112, head-end hub 115, and IPnetwork 120, provide a virtual signaling conduit for packetized voiceand data which may, with the coordination of the IP central station 200,be provided in the appropriate format between the broadband residentialgateway 300 and the public switched telephone network 160 and/orInternet 180.

Again referring now to FIG. 2, the IP central station 200 may include acentral router 210, for example, a gigabit switch, which may be utilizedto interconnect various servers and gateways contained in the IP centralstation 200. The central router 210 provides for example Ethernetswitching and aggregate traffic between servers, gateways and the IPnetwork 120 and/or ATM network 185 backbone. In one exemplaryembodiment, the central router 210 provides high-speed, non-blocking IPand IP multicast Layer 3 switching and routing. The IP central station200 may include one or more of the following servers: the least costserver (LCS) 255, the time of day (TOD) server 212, the dynamic hostcontrol protocol (DHCP) server, the trivial file transfer protocol(TFTP) server, and the domain name service (DNS) server 214, the systemmanagement (SM) server 216, the call manager (CM) server 218, theannouncement server (AS) 220, the multimedia server (MS) 222, and/or theconference server (CS) 224. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the servers may beseparate servers, for example the call manager server 218, or may beincorporated into a single server. In the exemplary embodiment, thedynamic host control protocol server 131, trivial file transfer protocolserver 132, and the domain name service server 214 are each incorporatedin a single server facility. Each server in the IP central station 200may include computer(s), storage device(s), and specialized software forimplementing particular predefined functions associated with eachserver. In this manner, the servers in the IP central station may beprovisioned as a main server and one or more back-up servers to provideredundant processing capabilities. Similarly, the router may beimplemented as a main router and a back-up router with similar routingfunctionality.

The IP central station 200 may also include, for example, one or more ofthe following gateways: an element management gateway (EMG) 238, anaccounting gateway (AG) 240, an Internet (Boarder) gateway (IG) 236, asignaling system 7 (SS7) gateway (SG) 234, a voice gateway (VG) 232,and/or a multimedia gateway (MG) 230. The IP central station 200 mayutilize one or more of these gateways to provide centralized systemintelligence and control of voice and/or data IP packets.

In exemplary embodiments, the dynamic host control protocol server 131and domain name service server 214 may operate to dynamically assign IPaddresses devices in the customer premise equipment 102. Where a dynamicIP assignment scheme is used, the customer premises equipment may beprovided with one or a plurality of dynamic IP assignment when activatedinitially, and/or at the initiation of each active secession. Where anIP address is assigned when the device is initially activated, it may bedesirable to assign a single IP address to a single broadbandresidential gateway and assign a port address to devices connected tothe broadband residential gateway 300. In other embodiments, anindividual IP address may be assigned to each device coupled to thebroadband residential gateway 300. For example, the broadbandresidential gateway may include and/or be coupled to one or more cablemodems, IP phones, plain old telephone system phones, computers,wireless devices, CATV converters, video phones, and/or other deviceswhich each may be assigned a unique static and/or dynamic IP addressand/or a port of a one of these IP addresses. The particular protocolfor allocating IP addresses and/or ports may be specified usingprotocols defined in the dynamic host control protocol server 131. Inexemplary embodiments, the dynamic host control protocol server 131 andDN server 214 may be configured to assign available IP addresses fromaddress pools based, for example, on the identity or type of requestingdevice, the amount of use expected for the requesting device, and/orpredefined assignment protocols defined in the dynamic host controlprotocol server 131 and DN server 214. In centralized embodiments, itmay be desirable to configure the call manager (CM) 218 to providesufficient information such that the domain name service server 214 candistinguish between static IP devices, dynamic IP devices, registereddevices, unregistered devices, and registered devices that have beenassigned to a particular class of service e.g., data vs. telephony,un-provisioned, vs. provisioned, etc.

The trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) server 132 may be configuredto transfer certain information to/from one or more broadbandresidential gateways 300. In exemplary embodiments, the trivial filetransfer protocol server 132 provides Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecifications (DOCSIS) configuration information containing QoSparameters and other information required for the broadband residentialgateway 300 to operate optimally.

The time-of-day (TOD) server 212 may include a suitable facility formaintaining a real time clock such as an RFC868-compliant time server.In exemplary embodiments, the time-of-day server 212 provides systemmessages and/or responses to system inquiries containing a coordinatedtime, e.g., universal coordinated time (UCT). The universal coordinatedtime may be used by any of the servers and/or devices in the broadbandnetwork 1. For example, the broadband residential gateway 300 may usethe universal coordinated time to calculate the local time fortime-stamping error logs.

The system management (SM) server 216 may include responsibility for theoverall operational state and functioning of components in the broadbandnetwork 1, either alone, or in combination with other system managementservers 216. The system management (SM) server 216 may be variouslyconfigured to provide monitoring and administrative functions fordevices within the broadband network 1. For example, the systemmanagement server 216 may be configured to provide management of variousdatabase functions, memory buffer functions, and software utilityfunctions within the broadband network 1. Software management includes,for example, version control, generic control, and/or module control.

The least cost server (LCS) 255 may be variously configured to enablethe system to determine the least cost routing of telephone and datatransmission throughout the network. The least cost server 255 may alsoprovide one or more broadband residential gateway users capability toselect between, for example, cost and Quality of Service (QoS).

The announcement service (AS) server 220 may be variously configured. Inexemplary embodiments, it may store and send announcements to specifieddestinations and/or all destinations based on instructions received by,for example, the call manager (CM) server 218. The announcement server220 receives, for example, Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) orlater signaling (e.g., H.GCP—an ITU standard Gateway Control Protocol)control messages from the call manager 218, and sends announcements toone or more voice gateways (VG) 232 and/or the one or more broadbandresidential gateway 300 (e.g., using Real Time Protocol (RTP) packets).The announcement server 220 may send an announcement once, apredetermined number of times, or in a continuous loop. The announcementserver 220 may detect when a phone or other device has been takenoff-hook and play an advertisement or other announcement to the user.Where a user has signed-up for an advertising plan whereby phone ratesare reduced in return for advertising revenue generated by theadvertisements, the announcement server 220 may be utilized to track thenumber of individuals with a particular income, age, or other profilewhich hear the advertisement. The announcement server 220 may respond torequests from individual system devices such as one of the broadbandresidential gateways 300 and/or under control of, for example, the callmanager 218. Where the announcement server is under control of the callmanager 218, the call manager may be configured to control variousoperating parameters of the announcement server. For example, the callmanager 218 may request that certain announcements are sent once, aspecified number of times, or in a continuous loop.

In still further embodiments, announcements may be generated elsewherein the broadband network 1, stored as files, and distributed to one ormore announcement servers via a file transfer protocol or resource suchas the trivial file server 214 using one or more file transferprotocols. In many embodiments, it is desirable to store announcementsin an appropriate encoding format (e.g., G.711 or G.729) within theAnnouncement Server. The announcement may have an audio component and/ora audio/video component. The audio/video component may be stored using acombination of an encoding format (e.g., G.711) and/or a standard fileformat such as wave (WAV), MPEG, and other suitable formats.

In one exemplary method of operation, a user picks up a telephone whichsends a signal to the call manager 218. Subsequently, the call manager218 may establish a connection to the announcement server 220 and playone or more pre-recorded and/or predetermined announcement (hypertextand/or audio). Signaling tones such as a busy signal may be played bythe broadband residential gateway 300 or the call manager 218, butSpecial Information Tones (SIT) and/or messages may also be included aspart of an announcement file. In this way, the user experience isenhanced such that the user receives a busy message and/or hypertextannouncement providing one of several options for contacting the calledparty. The announcement server 220 may have information entered by auser using, for example, a broadband residential gateway to provideadditional information to the called party. The additional informationmay include the ability to leave a message, type-in a chat note, pagethe called party, barge-in on the call, and/or other user or systemdefined call handling capabilities.

The announcement server 220 may also be programmed with various systemmessages such as an announcement indicating that a number dialed isincorrect or that the call did not go through as dialed, that the linesare busy, that all lines between two countries are currently busy, thatthe called party has changed numbers, that the called parties party'sphone has been disconnected, that one or more system errors haveoccurred, and/or other announcement messages.

The call manager (CM) 218 may be variously configured. In exemplaryembodiments, the call manager 218 provides a centralized call controlcenter for supporting call set-up and tear-down in the broadband network1. The call manager 218 may be configured to include trunk and lineinformation maintenance, call state maintenance for the duration of acall, and/or user service features execution. The call manager 218 mayalso provide for call processing functions such as a standardized callmodel for processing the various voice connections such as voice over IPcalls. In exemplary embodiments, a standardized “open” call model may beutilized which supports standardized application programming interfaces(APIs) to provide transport services and other user functions such ascalling cards. An open application programming interface and call set-upinterface in the call manager will enable third party applications to beloaded into the call manager 218 and broadband residential gateway 300.This will facilitate the development of third party applications forenhancing the functionality of components in the broadband network 1.For example, third parties and other equipment vendors may manufacturevarious broadband residential gateways 300 for use in the broadbandnetwork 1 by writing applications to support the open call model of thecall manager 218. The call manager 218 and/or broadband residentialgateway 300 may also be configured to execute and/or accept commandsfrom a standardized scripting language which may generate instructionsfor the call manager 218 and/or broadband residential gateway 300 toexecute various functions. The scripting functionality may include theability to execute an entire call model including interfaces to thesignaling system 7 (SS7) 170, public switched telephone network 160, IPnetwork 120, ATM/frame/cell relay network 185, and/or other functionswithin, for example, IP central station 200 such as the multimediaserver 222, announcement server 220, system management server 216,conference server 224, time of day server 212, least cost server 255,and/or domain name server 214.

The call manager 218 may also be configured to maintain the call statesfor each call it handles (e.g., a voice over IP call) and respond tosystem events created by, for example, the multimedia gateway controlprotocol (MGCP) messages and/or integrated services digital network userpart (ISUP) messages for signaling system 7 (SS7) protocol that mayoccur during the processing of a call. Exemplary events handled by thecall manager 218 include call state changes, call feature changes/callfeature triggering events, changes in the status of lines and trunks,and/or error conditions. Further, the call manager 218 may interact withdevices connected to a single circuit on the public switched telephonenetwork 160 and/or a device connected to a port of the broadbandresidential gateway 300. In this manner, new devices may be added to theinfrastructure and operate using the open call model contained in thecall manager 218.

The call manager 218 may also include storage for subscriber and networkconfiguration, a cache server for faster access to frequently used data,a routing engine for selecting an appropriate routing algorithm (e.g.,least cost routing), and/or a service broker which provides the data andlogic for specific services. In addition, the call manager 218 mayinclude an authentication (AC) server 245 that provides authenticationof various devices, objects, packets and users in the integratedmultimedia system. In this manner, a user may verify the identity of thecalling or called party.

The call manager 218 may interact with the signaling gateway (SG) 234,the accounting gateway (AG) 240, the element management gateway (EMG)238, the voice gateway (VG) 232, and the multimedia gateway (MG) 230using any suitable protocol such as IP and an interconnection mechanismsuch as the central router 210. In one preferred embodiment, the callmanager 218 may be configured to utilize signaling messages such as: a)ISUP messages over Common Object Broker Architecture (COBRA) interfaceto and/or from signaling gateway 234, b) MGCP, SIP—simple internetprotocol, H.GCP, and/or other suitable control messages to and/or fromthe announcement server 220, c) call event records in modified Radiusformat to the accounting gateway 240, d) Radius (or Enhanced Radius orcompatible protocol) control messages to and/or from the voice gateway232 and/or the broadband residential gateways 300, and e) signalingnetwork management protocol (SNMP) messages to and/or from the elementmanagement gateway 238.

The call manager 218 may incorporate one or more databases. For example,the call manager 218 may include database information such as (1) aresources database that provides an identification of what resources areconnected to the broadband network 1 and their current state; (2) atrunk/gateway database that indicates which gateway serves what circuitsin a trunk; (3) a customer database which indicates whether a call isauthorized, identifies what services a line supports and determineswhether a telephone number is on or off the integrated IP communicationnetwork; (4) a numbering plan/least cost routing database which providesrouting information that enables the IP central station 200 to choosethe correct trunk as a function of the call number; and (5) a localnumber portability (LNP) database that indicates the North AmericanNumbering Plan (NANP) and associated prefixes which are open forassociation with the number portability service; and (6) an address ofthe service control point (SCP) towards which requests for translatingthese local portability numbers should be routed.

In exemplary embodiments, the broadband network 1 includes equipmentcompatible with the COBRA standard. COBRA may be utilized to allowapplications from a plurality of vendors to operate with each other. TheCOBRA standard allows a company, such as AT&T, to build its networkusing multi-vendor equipment and yet ensure seamless integration andoperation. Some of the major areas covered by COBRA v. 2.2 includes:Inter-ORB Bridge Support, General Inter-ORB Protocol (GIOP) support,Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) support, and Environment SpecificInter-ORB Protocol (ESIOP) support. The call manager 218 may integratethese protocols to facilitate call set-up with diverse equipment. Thisis advantageous in that equipment from a plurality of vendors mayinter-operate over the broadband network 1 without modification.

The multimedia server (MS) 222 may be variously configured. For example,one or more multimedia servers may provide support for multimediamessaging service and/or the overall management of multimedia voice andmail messages transmitted across the broadband network 1. The multimediaserver may be configured to support e-mail (e.g., html) messages, voicemail (audio) messages, and/or video mail (audio and video) messages. Themultimedia messages may include standard pre-configured system messages,advertising messages, and/or user defined messages. In either event,where the messages are stored in a centralized location, the multimediaserver may provide such storage. Where the multimedia server 222provides storage for the multimedia messages, a database may be utilizedfor indexing, storage, and retrieval of such messages. In exemplarysystems, the user may access predetermined ones of these messages. Themultimedia server 222 may utilize IP as a method of communicating withother devices across the broadband network 1.

The conference server (CS) 224 may be configured to provide formultiparty conference calls using, for example, IP voice packets duringan IP telephony or multimedia session call. The conference server 224may include specialized software that runs on a computing platformhaving associated multiplexing and demultiplexing capability forsegregating and aggregating user information packets. For example, theconference server may log several calls into a conference session. Wheninformation packets are sent from one or more phones, they areaggregated and sent to the other phones on the conference call. Theconference server 224 may use any suitable communication protocol suchas H.GCP or SIP. The conference server 224 may function to aggregateuser information from two or more users onto a single call path. Theconference server 224 may include one or more “call-in numbers” and becontrolled from any location, e.g., a centralized operator locationand/or one or more broadband residential gateways 300. It may bedesirable to have the conference server 224 configured such that somecallers simply monitor the call without voice interruption while othercallers have both voice transmit and receive capabilities. Where acaller is not given the privileges associated with active participationin the call, voice packets from these users are discarded. For example,a CEO may have a conference call with a plurality of financial advisorsand invite the press to listen on the call without interruptioncapabilities.

The gateways in the IP central station 200 may be configured to providetranslation of signals to and/or from the various servers in the IPcentral station 200, the IP network 120, the public switched telephonenetwork 160, the signaling system 7 (SS7) network 170, the Internet 180,and/or the secured management data (SMD) network 190. The gatewaystypically support one or more of the following group of functions: callprocessing; signaling system 7 (SS7) connectivity; billing support;OAM&P support; connection to public switched telephone network; controlCoS/QoS parameters; and enhanced services.

The voice gateway (VG) 232 may be connected to the public switchedtelephone network 160 and operate to convert between IP based voicepackets and standard public switched telephone network 160 voicetraffic. Voice gateway 232 may be configured as multi-frequency (MF) orISUP gateways on a per-T1 basis. Where multi-frequency (MF) trunks areused, one embodiment utilizes signaling between the call manager 218 andthe voice gateway 232 using MGCP, SIP, H.GCP and/or other compatibleprotocol. Multi-frequency trunks may be compatible with Feature Group D(FGD), Operator Service (OS) Signaling protocol and/or TerminationProtocol (TP).

The IP central station 200 may be variously connected to the publicswitched telephone network. For example, the IP central station 200 maybe connected directly to the public switched telephone network using,for example a bearer channel (e.g., a T1 or T3 carrier) and/orinterconnected using one or more networks such as an IP network and/orATM/frame/cell relay network 185. Where a T1 network is utilized, it maybe desirable to utilize one or more of ISUP or MF, FGD, and OS tointerconnect a service bureau in the public switched telephone network160. Alternatively, the service bureau in the public switched telephonenetwork 160 may be interconnected using an alternative networkarrangement such as an IP network 120 and/or a ATM/frame/cell relaynetwork 185. The service bureau may coordinate with the IP centralstation 200 in providing operator services, directory services andprovisioning for 311, 611, and 711 services. Emergency 911 services maybe routed to an E911 tandem switch that has the appropriate databasesand interfaces with a Public Safety Answering Position (PSAP). Emergency911 services may be coordinated by the call manager 218 and/or publicswitched telephone network based service bureau.

Voice gateway 232 may be router-based and include one or more voicefeature cards and/or DSP Module cards to perform voice processing. Thevoice gateway 232 may optionally include host processors, LAN/WAN ports,Ethernet ports, T1 or E1 telephony interface cards, Voice Feature Cardswith DSP Modules providing voice compression transcoding (G.711 andG.729), carrier-quality echo cancellation with 8 ms-32 ms tail length, ade-jitter buffer which adapts to delay variations in the network inorder to minimize the delay, packet loss concealment that generatesconcealment frames for lost packets using information from previouslyreceived data, and/or tone detection and generation. This functiondetects Multi-Frequency (MF) tones and generates MF and call processingtones (e.g. dial tone, call-waiting tone etc.).

In exemplary embodiments, the voice gateway 232 may include T1/E1interfaces with internal Channel Service Units (CSUs). It may also bedesirable to configure the voice gateway 232 such that ISUP, MF andCentralized Attendant Services (CAS) trunks are supported with aconfiguration done on a per T1 basis. Additionally, multi-frequencytones and Centralized Attendant Services may utilize a “robbed bits”communication scheme where bits are “robbed” from sub-frames to transmitin-band signaling. The multi-frequency tones may be converted to and/orfrom, for example, simple gateway control protocol (SGCP) signalrequests and events by the voice gateway 232. For example,multi-frequency tones and/or lower level signaling and timing functionsmay be translated to and/or from any of the following indications:simple gateway control protocol Notify functions, simple gateway controlprotocol Notification Requests, Connection requests, Modify Connectionrequests, off-hook and/or on-hook indications.

An Ethernet interface with a RJ-45 connector may be used to connect thevoice gateway 232 to the central router 210 (e.g., Gigabit Switch orHigh Speed Router (HSR)). The multimedia gateway control protocol may beused as the interface between the voice gateway 232 and the call manager218. For example, call control, signaling, and multimedia data stream,real time protocol (RTP) connections, IP addresses, UDP ports, codecchoice etc, may be configured in any suitable manner such as by using amultimedia gateway control protocol. In exemplary embodiments, audiostreams may be passed directly between customer premises equipment 102using real time protocol connections over, for example, a user datagramprotocol (UDP). Thus, the multimedia gateway control protocol may beutilized to request the voice gateway 232 to initiate, cancel, and/orotherwise modify connections in order to set up and tear down RTP mediastreams. A similar procedure may also be utilized to request continuitytests and results.

In exemplary embodiments, it may be desirable to adapt the IP network tocarry signaling system 7 (SS7) Transaction Capabilities Application Part(TCAP) messages over the IP network 120 and/or the ATM/frame/cell relaynetwork 185. The transport of signaling system 7 (SS7) transactioncapabilities application part (TCAP) messages over the packet networksallows signaling operations to be supported by multiple connections tothe same host, multiple host connections, and distributed processing ofcall set-up information using, for example, multiple call managers 218in the broadband network 1. Thus, the IP network 120 and/orATM/frame/cell relay network may be utilized to interconnect a pluralityof ESS switches to transport signaling information, voice, and/or data.In embodiments where the signaling gateway (SG) 234 is configured tosupport signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling transport using transactioncapabilities application part (TCAP) messages, it may be desirable toinclude a translator for converting between multimedia gateway controlprotocol (MGCP) messages and transaction capabilities application part(TCAP) messages and/or ISDN User Part (ISUP) messages.

The point where ISUP and TCAP messages are terminated at a signalingsystem 7 (SS7) signaling gateway is defined as a Service Switching Point(SSP) to the signaling system 7 (SS7) network 170. The call manager 218may be configured with a standardized Application Programming Interface(API) to allow interaction with the signaling system 7 (SS7) by, forexample, sending and/or receiving ISUP and TCAP messages from a serviceswitching point (SSP). Full class 5 signaling system 7 (SS7)functionality may be included in the call manager 218 including theability to provide all of the information necessary for billing asdefined in the GR-246-Bellcore standard. The signaling gateway 234 maybe arranged to perform: signaling system 7 (SS7) message handling(message discrimination, message distribution, and message routing);signaling link management (e.g., link activation, deactivation);signaling route management (managing Point Code [PC] route status basedon route received management messages such as Transfer Prohibited,Transfer Allowed, Transfer Restricted, etc.); and signaling trafficmanagement (diversion of traffic based on unavailability, availability,restriction of signaling link, route, and Point Code.) The signalingsystem 7 (SS7) architecture supports the necessary redundancy componentscheme for system reliability and availability during scheduledmaintenance and/or software/hardware upgrades. The signaling gateway 234may be configured to directly provide for lower level signaling system 7(SS7) processing.

In exemplary embodiments, the signaling gateway 234 interacts with thecall manager 218 using an appropriate open interface (e.g., CommonObject Request Broker Architecture (COBRA)). In these embodiments, itmay be desirable for translation software in the signaling gateway 234to add Message Transfer Part (MTP) layer information to the ISUP and/orTCAP data to create a complete signaling system 7 (SS7) message. Thecomplete signaling system 7 message may then be sent to the SignalingTransfer Point (STP) in the external signaling system 7 (SS7) network170. Conversely, the signaling gateway 234 may be configured to removeISUP or TCAP application layer data from the signaling system 7 (SS7)messages received from the STP prior to converting the information to anappropriate open interface (e.g., COBRA) and forwarding the informationto the call manager 218 via the central router 210.

The accounting gateway (AG) 240 may be configured to receive messagesrepresenting events from the call manager 218 via a suitable transportmechanism such as the central router 210. Typically, two messages arereceived for each call, the first when the call is established, andsecond when the call terminates. In the case of unsuccessful calls, onlythe failure message will be logged. The messages provide details aboutthe calling and called parties, the timing of the call set-up, theduration and the quality of the call. Accounting gateway 240 may beduplicated using a redundant computer, with each gateway havingdual-mirrored disks. The accounting gateway 240 stores usage records andmay then distribute them to linked destinations (e.g., billing centers)for processing. Billing centers typically include bill processors thatreceive accounting information from the accounting gateway 240 andgenerate appropriate on-line or paper billing to customers. Theaccounting gateway may be configured to accommodate multiple days worthof accounting records such as the records for one day, two days, threedays, four days, a week, or a month. The period in which the data isretained in the accounting gateway may be dependent on business needs,hardware restrictions, and/or the billing cycle. For example, as the endof the billing cycle nears, it may be desirable to shorten the periodthe accounting gateway holds the data such that calls placed the day thebills are printed are included on the bills. Further, the accountinggateway may both retain and forward data to the billing centers. In thismanner, if the equipment at the billing center fails, the accountinggateway 240 may serve as a backup. Similarly, the billing center may actas a backup where the accounting gateway 240 fails.

An Automatic Message Accounting (AMA) format is typically used bycircuit-switching systems, packet-switching systems, and other networkelements to provide billing usage measurements data (e.g., the Bellcore®Automatic Message Accounting Format (BAF)). This data may be utilizedeither to permit charging the customer for use of network resources orto permit charging other carriers (e.g., InterExchange Carrier (IEC) andother Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)) for assistance in placing callconnections. The accounting gateway 240 may be configured to convertthis information into an Automatic Message Accounting Format (AMA)Format (e.g., BAF) records and send these records to the externalbilling systems using, for example, a TFTP (trivial file transferprotocol). Time-stamp accuracy is typically based on the accuracy of thecall manager 218 clock which may be derived from the TOD 212 server. Tocreate appropriate AMA records, the event information produced by thecall manager 218 preferably has appropriate information for thetelephone service specified such as phone number of the calling party(customer), phone number of the called party (customer), time of call,duration of the phone call, and use of any discretionary features.Different AMA structures may be generated between On-Net calls (definedas within a network service provider IP network 120) vs. Off-Net calls(defined as outside of service provider IP network—e.g. public switchedtelephone network) for billing purposes.

The element management gateway (EMG) 238 may provide system managementfunctionality that includes, for example: a) status and performancemonitoring for the Operation Administration, Maintenance, andProvisioning center, to gauge the ongoing operation of applications; b)extensive information exchange with a network operations centerresponsible for ongoing maintenance of one or more applications; c)customizable operations interface to allow the network operations centerto view only information required, thus reducing the time spentfiltering information; d) centralize distributed applicationconfiguration allowing for the centralized configuration of objectsresiding on a plurality machines; e) proactive network managementcapabilities to remove the need for constant operator interventionmaking the day-to-day operations more efficient; and/or f) intelligentdisplay of status information to separate critical issues fromlow-priority problems allowing the operation center to assign resourcesto the right problems at the right time.

The multimedia gateway (MG) 230 may be configured to connect to thepublic switched telephone network 160 and to convert IP based multimediapackets into standard public switched telephone network 160 traffic. Themultimedia gateway 230 may include an intelligent trunking interfacethat communicates with the call manager 218 for automatic trunk sizingand allocation between the IP network 120 and the public switchedtelephone network 160. For example, when an system user at the customerpremises is using a PC and/or a multimedia phone to communicate with atraditional public switched telephone network 160 user, thecommunication session involves the transmission of video and audio data.The bandwidth that is required for this type of communication is muchgreater than that required for a PSTN-to-PSTN voice call or anIP-to-PSTN voice call. The multimedia gateway 230, as the interfacebetween two systems, may negotiate a larger bandwidth to facilitate thecall if the called party is also video enabled. This bandwidthnegotiation process typically occurs with a 5ESS or a Local DigitalSwitch within the public switched telephone network 160. Typically, amultimedia call, including live video, audio and data, will requirebandwidth ranging from 56K to 1.544 Mbps. However, as the number ofusers sharing the same link grows, the quality of the transmissiondeteriorates significantly. The multimedia gateway 230 must be able tomonitor bandwidth usage and make appropriate adjustments so as tomaintain an acceptable quality of service. Further, it may be desirablefor the call manager 218 and the multimedia gateway 230 to communicatebetween themselves and/or the customer premises equipment 102 todetermine whether the user has authorized the additional bandwidth andhence expense of the call. For example, even where a called and/orcalling party is video enabled, it may nonetheless refuse to authorizepayment for the increased bandwidth necessary for video.

The Internet gateway (IG) 236 may be connected to the Internet (e.g.,World Wide Web (www)) and provide a means for IP based data packets tobe routed between the IP network 120 and the Internet 180.Alternatively, IP based voice packets may be routed via the Internet180. In exemplary embodiments, the Internet gateway 236 routes data-onlypackets which share the same priority level with other lower priority,non-real-time traffic consistent with computer data communicationspresently experienced with the Internet 180. Consequently, low priorityand low latency data traffic on the IP network 120 utilize the Internetgateway 236 to communicate with other IP data networks such as the www.Voice packets may be routed through another network such as theATM/frame/cell relay network 185, a private IP network 120, and/or thepublic switched telephone network 160 where committed information ratesmay be easily obtained.

In exemplary embodiments, the broadband network 1 includes theinterfaces which enable connections to existing Operation, Maintenanceand Provisioning (OAM&P) 195 systems that support, billing, accounting,provisioning and/or configuration management functions. A SecuredManagement Data (SMD) Network 190 may be utilized to connect the OAM&P195 to the accounting gateway 240 and element management gateway 238.The Secure Management Data network 190 may include a Network ServiceDivision's NSD Net. The Secure Management Data network 190 helps ensurethat only secure communication can occur between the IP central station200 and the OAM&P 195. This eliminates one potential means of tamperingwith the billing and provisioning functions in the OAM&P. The billingsystems (OSS) 195 may include the Network Operations Center (NOC). TheNOC may include a translation server which includes functions forallowing communications and control of diverse networks.

B. Broadband Residential Gateway (BRG)

Referring to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment for a broadband residentialgateway (BRG) 300 will now be described and explained. The broadbandresidential gateway 300 may be configured as the interface unit betweenthe remainder of the customer premise equipment 102 devices and theexternal network. The broadband residential gateway 300 may be connectedto the remainder of the broadband network 1 using any suitable mechanismsuch as a gateway directly into an IP network and/or a cable connection.In the most preferred embodiments, a hybrid fiber-coaxial plantconnection is utilized such as hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) plant 112. Thehybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112 allows numerous broadband residentialgateways 300 to be included on an existing hybrid fiber-coaxial plant112 without modification to the plant's infrastructure.

The broadband residential gateway 300 may be variously configured to,for example, provide high-speed cable modem capabilities to interconnectone or more associated PCs with each other and with the remainder of thebroadband network 1, provide functionality to one or more TVs (using,for example, either an integrated or separate decoder functionality,e.g., set top box 350), one or more telephone connections such as plainold telephone service (POTS) phones and/or digital telephones, displays,wireless interfaces, voice processing, remote control interface, displayinterface, and/or administrative functions. In exemplary embodiments,the broadband residential gateway 300 may a) providing conversionbetween analog voice and IP voice packets, b)multiplexing/demultiplexing streams of IP voice packets, c) supportingmultiplexing/demultiplexing of multiple incoming and outgoing signalsincluding multiple voice, multimedia, data, system administration,and/or TV information signals.

Where the elements of the broadband residential gateway 300 areinterconnected, the interconnection may be provided by one or more databuses, for example, a high speed bus (HSB) 360, processor bus 380,and/or other interconnection system. The high speed bus 360 may beconfigured to provide a flexible conduit for transferring informationbetween the internal hardware, processors and ports. In exemplaryembodiments of the broadband residential gateway 300, the high speed bus360 may include one or more of the following functional units a) auniversal remote control receiver module 365 for receiving wireless(e.g., infrared, and/or RF) signals (e.g., keyboard signals and/orremote control signals) for control of the broadband residential gateway300 and/or any connected devices, b) a display, display driver, touchscreen logic module for driving one or more local and/or remote displaysfor interfacing with the broadband residential gateway 300 and/or one ormore connected devices, c) one or more TV port modules 336 forinterconnecting televisions, set-top devices, and/or other audiovisualdevices to the broadband residential gateway 300, d) one or more dataport modules 334 for connecting/interconnecting data enabled devices(e.g., personal computers, palm top devices, etc.), e) one or moretelephony port modules 332 for interconnecting one or more analog and/ordigital telephones, f) one or more peripheral port modules 342 forinterconnecting one or more peripheral devices such as disk drives, datastorage devices, video cassette recorders, DVD devices, audio devices,video devices (e.g., camcorders, digital cameras, digital videorecorders, stereos, etc.), g) one or more external/internal intercommodules 344 for interconnecting remote intercom and/or securitymonitoring devices, h) one or more wireless interface modules 345 forinterconnecting with various wireless extension devices such as wirelessTVs, cordless and/or wireless telephones, wireless LANs, etc.) one ormore voice recognition/voice synthesis modules 355 for generating voiceannouncements, voice messages, and voice prompts and for recognizingvoice generated commands and data, j) set-top box module 350 forperforming the functions associated with a set-top box locally and/orfor communicating with one or more remotely coupled set-top boxes, k)memory 322 (e.g., DRAM, RAM, flash, and/or other memory) for storinginformation and operating data within the broadband residential gateway300, l) transceiver 302 for communicating with one or more externalbroadband networks m) operating program store 330 (e.g., ROM, flash,etc.) for storing at least portions of the operating programs for thebroadband residential gateway 300 and/or interconnected devices, n)security processor, smart card and/or credit card interface module 340for providing secure processing functions and/or credit card/smart cardtransaction functions, and/or o) distributed processing controller 306which may be a microprocessor and/or one or more interconnecteddistributed processing modules for controlling the broadband residentialgateway 300. Where the distributed processing controller 306 includesone or more distributed processing modules, the modules may include atelephony processing module (P1) 308, data processing module (P2) 310,video processing module (P3) 312, auxiliary processing module (P4) 314,IP processing module (P5) 316, and/or an operations administrationmaintenance and provisioning processing module (P6) 318 interconnectedthrough one or more busses such as processor bus 380. The processor bus380 and/or high speed bus 360 may include any suitable interconnect busincluding intelligent bus configurations incorporating smart bufferlogic (not shown in FIG. 3) to facilitate data transfer betweeninterconnected processors and/or modules. The various modules and/orprocessing components of the broadband residential gateway 300 may bepowered by, for example, a power supply unit (not shown). Each of theindividual modules of the broadband residential gateway will now bedescribed in more detail.

The transceiver 302 may include circuits for converting digital signalsto and from RF signals suitable for transmission across a broadbandnetwork such as the hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112. The transceiver 302may include one or more input/output ports such as a cable interface(e.g., an F connector cable connection) and/or a fiber optic interfaceconnected to a communication media (e.g., hybrid fiber-coaxial Plant112). The transceiver 302 may be compatible with the DOCSIS 1.0 or laterspecifications. For signaling purposes, the broadband residentialgateway 300 may be compatible with the Media Gateway Control Protocol(MGCP) or other compatible signaling protocol (e.g., SIP or H.GCP) tosupport telephony applications. The transceiver 302 may serve as amodem, a translator and/or a multiplexor/demultiplexor. Data receivedfrom the network may be de-multiplexed and placed on the data bus fordispatch to the appropriate peripherals and/or ports. Data from thevarious ports and peripherals may be multiplexed together fordistribution over one or more broadband networks (e.g., the hybridfiber-coaxial (HFC) plant 112). Where a hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112is utilized, the data may be multiplexed onto various frequency bands ofthe hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112 in a continuous data stream(s) and/orpacketized data stream(s). To facilitate data transfer for variousnetworks, the transceiver 302 may include one or more registers for dataqueuing and/or IP tunneling of data packets across the broadbandnetwork.

Although the illustration of a display, display drivers, and touchscreen logic device 338 suggests that the a display is integral to thebroadband residential gateway 300, alternative embodiments of thebroadband residential gateway 300 may provide a user interface via theTV screen, PC screen, video telephone, and/or other display device inaddition to, or in lieu of, a display integral to the broadbandresidential gateway 300.

The peripheral ports module 342 may include a plurality of portsproviding connectivity to external peripherals. Exemplary interfacesinclude, PCI, Firewire, USB, DB25, etc. Devices which incorporate one ormore of these interfaces may utilize the broadband residential gateway300 to interconnect to the remainder of the broadband network 1.

The external/internal Intercom Module (IM) 344 may include one or moremicrophones/speakers, voice CODECs, telephony processors, and/orinterface ports. Where an intercom module 344 is utilized, the built-incircuitry may be configured to detect, for example, unused plain oldtelephone system telephone(s) and generates a special intercom tone onthese unused telephones. In this manner, existing plain old telephonesystem telephones, digital phones, and/or other devices may serve as anintercom throughout the residence. The controller 306 (e.g., such as theP1 telephony processor 308) may function to command the intercom module344 to determine an appropriate intercom path to select an intercomconnection between various locations. In exemplary embodiments, theCODEC may be configured to convert the analog voice signal into IPpackets for transmission over one or more data ports 334, TV ports 336,display modules 338, telephony ports 332, peripheral ports 342,external/internal intercom ports 344, wireless interface ports 345,and/or set-top boxes 350.

In yet further embodiments, multiple broadband residential gateways 300may be configured through, for example, IP tunneling, to set-up anintercom connection between multiple remote broadband residentialgateways 300. In this manner, an administrative assistant at the officemay be contacted via an intercom connection present at the user's home.Thus, one or more individuals disposed at either local and/or remotelocations with diverse types of equipment may communicate as an intercomgroup without the need to communicate via normal dialing procedures.

In addition to intercom services, the intercom module 344 may alsoconfigure intercom services for other telephony services (e.g.,extension transfer, call conferencing, internal caller ID), high speeddata services (e.g., LAN connections), facsimile transmission/reception,e-mail transmission/reception, video conferencing, and/or CATV/HDTV(Cable Television/High Definition Television) using standard industryprotocols such as DOCSIS 1.0 or higher and IP tunneling transmissions.These services are advantageous in that once configured, the user maysimulate a work environment in his home.

Though processing may be accomplished by a single processor performingall functions (e.g., processing controller 306), in the preferredembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the architecture employs a distributedprocessing controller 306, and a plurality of processors P1-P6 308-318.In the distributed processing architecture, each of the plurality ofprocessors P1-P6 may be configured to have a dedicated function toprovide predetermined services or applications. The processors may becoupled together via any suitable mechanism such as the processor bus380 and/or high speed bus (HSB) 360. The first processor P1 308 mayinclude telephony applications such as call set-up, call tear down, andcall functions; the second processor P2 310 may include managementfunctions such as distribution and coordination of data within thevarious devices of the broadband residential gateway 300; the thirdprocessor P3 312 may include video processing functions for configuringcontrol panels, screen displays of attached devices, video conferencecalls, MPEG decoding functions and other video processing functions; thefourth processor P4 314 may include an auxiliary processor for offloading special processing functions such as numeric processing; thefifth processor P5 316 may include interface input/output processing(e.g., text to voice and vise versa) and/or Internet protocol (IP)processing functions for configuring data to communicate with theremainder of the broadband network 1 and/or devices attached to thebroadband residential gateway 300 such as IP telephones or IP enablePCs; and the sixth processor P6 318 may include processing functions forOperation, Maintenance and Provisioning (OAM&P) processing. Each of theabove processors may be an entirely separate processing unit withincluded RAM, ROM, Flash memory, or may share RAM, ROM, and/or Flashmemory. Where shared RAM, ROM, and/or Flash memory is utilized, thememory may be located within the distributed processor controller 306and/or on the processor bus 380. Alternatively, the memory may beintegrated into the operating program store 330 and/or into memory 322.

The Distributed Processing Controller 306 with its associated processors(P1-P6) may be coupled to the various elements of the broadbandresidential gateway 300 so as to enable proper operation of each of theindividual components. For example, the distributed processingcontroller 306 (with any associated processors (P1-P6)) may also coupledto the security processor, smart card/credit card, and interface module340, the peripheral port(s) module 342, and/or the External/InternalIntercom Module 344 for providing control and coordination among devicescoupled to the high speed bus 360.

The display 338 may include, for example, an interactive LED/LCD modulepositioned in a suitable location such as within or attached to thebroadband residential gateway 300. The display 338 may include aninterface to notify, display and receive user inputs and processingstatus. The display 338 may be configured to display variousinformational status such as multimedia mail, called ID, call logs, callin progress and associated information, call waiting information, callconferencing, and/or other call related information. The display 338 mayprovide a display of real time status of the various devices connectedto the broadband residential gateway 300 as well as any currentconnections, calls, and/or data transfers. The display 338 may alsoinclude touch screen capabilities that allow information to be input viaa plurality of interrelated on-screen prompts, on-screen icons, and/or akeypad (e.g., an alphanumeric keyboard). The keypad may be a remotecontrol, numeric keyboard, and/or alphanumeric keyboard.

In one embodiment of the display 338 operation, a user may touch an iconrepresenting a pending voicemail and/or multimedia mail message. Thepanel may be configured to send an electronic signal to the processingcontroller 306 and/or an attached processor such as the telephonyprocessor. On receiving the signal, the P1 telephony processor 308 maybe configured to generate an IP packet via the transceiver 302 acrossportions of the broadband network 1 to the multimedia server 222 in IPcentral station 200. The multimedia server 222 may authenticate therequest by, for example, verifying location of the request and/or theidentity of the requesting party. Where identity of the calling party isbeing verified, the user enter an access password by an audio and/orkeyboard request. Where an audio request is generated, the user mayutilize the external/internal intercom module 344 of the broadbandresidential gateway 300, or via a text message entered into the display338. The user may then enter the appropriate access code via theonscreen soft keypad, microphone, and/or keyboard. Alternatively, themessage could be stored locally in the broadband residential gateways300 memory 322 and depending on whether there is a password lock on thebroadband residential gateway 300, the user may not have to enter apassword to access the message. Where the message is stored locally inthe broadband residential gateways 300 memory 322 rather than IP centralstation, the display 338 simply recalls the message from memory andpresents to the user to provide one-touch instant message retrieval.

In embodiments where the broadband residential gateway 300 supportsmultiple mailboxes, the icons on the LCD/LED may be personalized to showthe identity of the owner of the message. Each user may have a differentpassword to ensure privacy of access. An activity log which tracks pastand present messages and/or archives multimedia messages may bepresented on display 338. The archive may be stored locally, or at aremote location such as IP central. The archive may be utilized by theuser to recall messages which have long since been erased from localstorage but may be retrieved from IP central on tape and/or diskstorage. This is preferably an optional feature for those users who areless security conscious. The multimedia messages need not be displayedonly on display 338. In alternate embodiments, any of the peripheraldevices attached to the broadband residential gateway 300 are capable ofreceiving the multimedia messages.

The memory 322 may be variously configured to include one or morefield-upgradeable card slots for permitting memory expansion. Certainusers may wish to enable higher end applications such as near video ondemand (e.g., pausing of shows via buffering in memory), videoconferencing of multiple users, multi-party conferences, call waitingfor multiple parties, etc. Accordingly, the use of a broadbandresidential gateway 300 allows the user to upgrade memory via insertingadditional cards. Alternatively, the user may use system memory in IPcentral and buffer data remotely.

Operating program store 330 may be configured to receive updates. Thismay be accomplished by having the user replace one or more memory cardsor automatically by the IP central station downloading new operatingcode into one or more residential gateways 300.

As previously indicated, smart buffer logic (SBL) may be coupled to thetelephony port(s) 332, data port(s) 334, TV port(s) 336, peripheralport(s) 342, and/or the distributed processing controller (DPC) 306.Where the smart buffer logic is utilized, it may function to buffer theIP packets for delivery over the communication network such as thehybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112. In addition, the smart buffer logic mayinclude selectable switching and routing algorithms based on servicesand applications associated with each port. Depending on the destinationof the IP traffic, the smart buffer logic may multiplex signals fromvarious devices to effect faster information transfer. The smart bufferlogic may also allow direct memory access between memory 322 and one ormore of the devices and/or ports coupled to the high speed bus 360.

The telephony port(s) 332 may include various interface circuitry (e.g.,analog interface, logic and firmware for interfacing with the Plain OldTelephone (POTs) telephones). Also the telephony port(s) 332 may also beconfigured to include user interface logic, voice processing logic,voice activity detector logic, voice CODECs, and DTMF (dual tonemulti-frequency) tone sensing logic. Echo cancellation and automaticgain control may also be utilized in the telephony port(s) 332circuitry. In one embodiment, RJ-11 connectors for a plurality of lines(e.g., 4) are provided for connection to one or more existing plain oldtelephone system 110 telephone units. However, the broadband residentialgateway 300 may contain any number of telephone connection ports. Inthis manner, any number of existing user phones may be connecteddirectly to the broadband residential gateway 300 without modification.Alternatively, the broadband residential gateway can be configured tosupport, in addition to or as alternative to the plain old telephonesystem telephone units, ISDN telephones and/or other digital phones(e.g., IP telephones) using an appropriate interface.

The data port(s) 334 interface may be variously configured. In oneconfiguration, the data ports include high speed data serviceconnections to, for example, a personal computer (PC) using a LANconnection. For example, the data ports 334 may include an Ethernet802.3 connection compatible with category 5 unshielded twisted pair(UTP) cable and a RJ-45 connector. The data port(s) 334 may include thenecessary interface circuitry for coupling to remote computers.

The TV port(s) 336 may include an interface for conventional television,HDTV and/or CATV services. The TV port(s) 336 typically have one or moreF-connectors used for coaxial cable connection to a TV set(s). The TVports may be configured to connect to a set top box (STB) via theF-connector or directly to a remote television. In embodiments where thesettop box is co-located with the television, the data supplied over theTV ports may be either analog and/or digital information. Where thesettop box is integrated into and/or comprises the broadband residentialgateway 300, the TV ports may be analog or compatible with HDTV signals.

The broadband residential gateway 300 need not necessarily be limited tohome use and is intended to also be utilized in business applications.In some configurations, the broadband residential gateway 300 may servethe same functions and operate as a private branch exchange (PBX). Wheregreater capacity is desired, one or more broadband residential gateways300 may be disposed on a PC card and combined in a PC, rackmount, and/orserver to create an expandable private branch exchange type system thatenables intra-premises calling between telephones connected to varioustelephone connectors on the broadband residential gateway 300.

C. Integrated Broadband IP Based Communication System

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the broadband network 1 shown inFIGS. 1-3, with like components identified with identical numbers. Atthe extremities of the integrated communications system is the customerpremises equipment unit (CPE) 102, e.g., one or more customer premiseequipment 102 at each customer location. The customer premise equipment102 may be configured to include an integrated communication interfacedevice such as the broadband residential gateway 300. Other customerpremise equipment 102 devices such as one or more televisions (TV) 106,personal computers (PC) 108, and telephones 110, etc., may be connectedto the broadband residential gateway 300 via various ports as discussedabove. The customer premise equipment 102 could include multiple TVs106, telephones 110, and PCs 108 connected to a single and/or multiplebroadband residential gateway 300. Further, in certain embodiments, itmay be desirable to divide the broadband residential gateway 300 intomore than one physical package. In this manner, certain interfacecircuitry may be located outside of the home while various processingcircuitry may be located near a peripheral device such as in a settop.

Where the broadband residential gateway 300 is coupled to the hybridfiber-coaxial plant 112 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, it may be configured to provide the user with bothinformation data (e.g., through an Ethernet interface), telephonyaccess, and TV service (e.g., HDTV, Digital TV and/or CATV services). Inexemplary embodiments, the hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112 typicallyincludes both coaxial cable and optical fiber networks, though, wheredesired, the network may include only coaxial cable or optical fiber.The hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112 may be coupled to a head-end hub(HEH) 115. The head end hub 115 may provide an interconnection point togather and/or transform external services (e.g., off air and satellitevideo, public switched telephone network voice, and Internet data) intoa format suitable for distribution on the hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112for use with the customer premise equipment 102. The head-end hub 115may include one or more cable modem termination systems (CMTS) 116coupled between the hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112, a Head-end (HE) 117and/or an Edge Router (ER) 118. The edge router 118 may be coupled tothe cable modem termination system 116 and to one or more ultra highspeed routers (UHR) 121. One or more ultra high speed routers 121 may beinterconnected to each other and/or through a centralized mechanism suchas an IP network database to form a high speed network. The high speedpacket network 120 n is one example of the network 120 (e.g., IPnetwork) shown in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the high speed network 120 n includesthe ultra high-speed routers (UHR) 121 configured in a ringconfiguration. Although this embodiment shows the use of the IP networkdatabase (IND) 122, other configurations are also suitable. Where an IPnetwork database 122 is utilized, it may be desirable to incorporate oneor more data sets such as: a IP local number portability database (IPLNP) which may be utilized for transferring local DN among serviceproviders when a user changes their service provider; an IP caller namedatabase (IP CNAME) which may be utilized to provide a database of namesrelating to IP addresses and/or domain names; an IP line informationdatabase (IP LIDB) which may provide alternative billing and allowflexibility in determining who pays for a call; and an IP 1-800 Database(IP 8YY) which may provide a database of 1-800 numbers relating to theIP network 120 a. Alternatively, the IP local number portabilitydatabase may be located at another location, such as at an IP centralstation (IP Central) 200. Where desired, a local service managementsystem (LSMS) 150 may be arranged to provide management of the IP localnumber portability database. Where a local service management system 150is utilized, a plurality of local service order administration (LSOA)units 152 may be coupled to the local service management system by, forexample, a number portability administration center (NPAC) 151. In thismanner, directory numbers may be transported among different serviceproviders. In such a case, a NPAC 151 is generally coupled to the LSMS150 and uses the LSMS 150 to synchronize the numbering databases and tocoordinate the porting process.

As indicated above, the broadband network 1 may include a plurality ofinterconnected high performance networks 120 n. Each high performancenetwork 120 n may include a separate IP central station 200 and/or sharea single IP central station. Having distributed IP central stationslocated throughout the broadband network 1 provides improved performanceand quicker response time for an individual user. Although notillustrated, each high performance network 120, 120 n may be connectedto multiple head-end hubs 115, each head-end hub 115 may be connected tomultiple hybrid fiber-coaxial plants 112, and each hybrid fiber-coaxialplant 112 may be connected to a plurality of customer premises equipment102, each containing one or more broadband residential gateways 300. Theplurality of high performance networks 120 n may be configured as aninterconnected network for routing packetized information frompoint-to-point in accordance with a desired destination.

The high performance network 120 n may be configured to provideconnectivity for and between a plurality of head-end hubs 115 and/or aplurality of broadband residential gateways 300 and other networks suchas the Internet, e.g., www 180, the public switched telephone network(PSTN) 160 and/or various signaling systems such as the SS7 network 170for end-to-end voice over IP applications. The IP central station 200may be configured to provide seamless integration and control of thehigh performance network 120 (e.g., an IP based communication system)interface with the public switched telephone networks (PSTN) 160,signaling system seven (SS7) 170, and/or the Internet 180 so thatpacketized data, voice calls, and other signaling information isproperly transferred between the broadband residential gateway 300 andthe public switched telephone network 160 and Internet 180. In certainconfigurations, the hybrid fiber-coaxial 112, head-end hub 115, and highperformance network 120, provide a signal conduit for packetized voiceand data which may, with the coordination of the IP central station 200,be provided in the appropriate format between the broadband residentialgateway 300, the public switched telephone network 160, and/or the www180.

D. General Operation of Integrated Communication System

The typical home user is currently required to purchase multipleintelligent data conduits such as multiple set-top boxes, a plurality ofconventional, DSL and/or ISDN phones, cable modems, HDTV receivers,satellite receivers, home PC LANs, etc. The integrated communicationsystem of the present invention provides a user friendly versatilecommunication system that enables voice over IP telephony, informationdata (e.g., PC and Internet), and television services in a system withone intelligent customer premise equipment 102 interface, the broadbandresidential gateway 300. The broadband residential gateway 300 inconjunction with the IP central station 200 provides a flexiblecommunication system that can provide any number of integratedcommunication service features and functions without requiring the userto become familiar with numerous, diverse types of equipment.

In one exemplary application of the voice over IP operations, thebroadband residential gateway 300 digitizes the analog telephony signalusing, for example, G.711μ law coding (64 Kbps Pulse Code Modulation).The digital samples may then be packetized in, for example, thebroadband residential gateway 300 into IP packets. The broadbandresidential gateway 300 may be configured to encapsulate the IP packetsinto, for example, DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecifications) frames for transmission back to the head-end hub (HEH)115 over the hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112. The hybrid fiber-coaxialplant 112 may then be configured to transport signals for both upstream(to head-end hub 115) and downstream (to the broadband residentialgateway 300 and customer premise equipment 102) directions. Although theDOCSIS protocol is utilized in this example, any future protocol mayalso be used for the digitizing and packeting of data. Where theprotocol changes, it may be desirable to download new operating codefrom, for example, IP central station 200 to the individual broadbandresidential gateways 300, to update the communication protocolsdynamically. When new protocols are adopted, the IP central station mayutilize, for example, the system management server 216 to download newprotocol data into, for example, the protocol manager in the callmanager 218 and the program store 330 in the broadband residentialgateway 300.

Where voice packets are sent over constant bit rate (CBR) channels usingunsolicited grants, additional packet data channels may be used tosupport signaling messages (e.g., SGCP, Simple Gateway ControlProtocol), high-speed cable modem service and/or other upstream packetdata services. The upstream packet data services may be sent usingavailable bit rate (ABR) channels such that the voice channels notimpacted by data traffic.

A. TV Signal Reception

The head-end 117 may originate CATV signals for transmission over thedistribution network. However, in alternate embodiments, signals may beinserted at other points in the distribution network, such as at varioushubs or may arise at remote locations in the network such as IP central.Down stream channels may be utilized to facilitate the transmission ofsignals from the head-end or other input distribution point to thesubscriber premise. Where analog RF signals arrive at the broadbandresidential gateway 300 of the customer premise equipment 102,typically, the transceiver circuitry 302 will detect if the signal isaddressed to this broadband residential gateway 300. If so, thetransceiver will allow reception of the RF signal. Upon conversion to adigital format, the signal is typically output over the high speed bus(HSB) 360 to one or more associated devices for processing. For example,where the signal is a TV signal, the signal may be output directly tothe TV port 336 and/or processed by the settop box 350 prior tooutputting to the TV ports 336 and/or display 338. Where user channelselection is performed directly in the broadband residential gateway300, channel selection may be performed by remote control receiver 365using an external device such as a remote control. The remote controlreceiver may receive a plurality of individually coded remote controlcommands from different receivers and process the signals for only oneassociated device in accordance with the received commands. Alternativechannel inputs include the display 338 and/or any associated keypad.Authorization to certain channels may be controlled by securityprocessor 340.

Where a remote settop box is utilized, the box may be coupled directlyto the HFC for individual frequency tuning and/or receive a digital feedfrom the broadband residential gateway 300 after decoding the digitalsignal. For example, where hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112 contains fiberconnections to locations near the individual homes, it may be desirableto download one or more simultaneous individually requested programmingstream(s) and/or digital data stream(s) to the broadband residentialgateway 300. In this manner, the number of channels, movie selections,and/or entertainment options available to the user are unlimited. Costis minimized since only a single intelligent user interface is used inthe home and all televisions, phones, computers, and/or other userinterface devices use the same intelligent user interface to thebroadband network 1. In this manner, the broadband network 1 may offerpremium television, voice and/or data services to multiple conventionaltelevisions, phones, and PCs without the use of multiple set boxes,modems, and external connections. Thus, the users are provided a singleunified interface to satisfy their external data needs.

B. Exemplary Call Flow of an On-Network Call to an Off-Network Call,with the Off-Network Call initiating the Dropping.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary call processing sequence for an on-netcall (e.g., an IP based call) to an off-net call (e.g., a publicswitched telephone network based call), in which the off-net partyinitiates the drop call sequence. The exemplary call processing sequenceoperates as follows:

-   -   1. Once the broadband residential gateway 300 detects an off        hook condition, the broadband residential gateway 300 may        generate an off hook signal 508 to the call manager (CM) 218.        The off hook signal acts as a dial tone request to the call        manager 218. Alternatively, the broadband residential gateway        300 may collect all dialed digits before activating the off hook        condition. This alternative may be desirable to save resources        at the call manager 218 where multiple incoming lines are        available to handle any additional calls. Thus, even though one        phone is off-hook, the broadband residential gateway 300        determines that other lines are available and does not initiate        the off-hook signal until all dialing digits have been        collected.    -   2. Where the call is managed entirely by the call manager, the        call manager 218 will issue a dial tone message 509 to the        requesting broadband residential gateway 300 in order for the        broadband residential gateway 300 to generate a dial tone to the        associated phone. Where the broadband residential gateway 300        shares management of the call, the broadband residential gateway        300 generates the dial tone in response to the off-hook        condition.    -   3. Where the call is managed entirely by the call manager 218,        the call manager 218 will then enter a state where it polls and        collects the dialed digits 510 from the broadband residential        gateway 300. The dialed digits may then be transferred to the        call manager 218 one at a time as they are entered.        Alternatively, where the call set-up control process is shared        between the broadband residential gateway 300 and the call        manager 218, the broadband residential gateway 300 collects the        dial digits and transfers these, together with the off-hook        signal to the call manager 218. This transfer may be facilitated        by combining this data into a single data packet.    -   4. On receiving the dialed digits, the call manager 218 will        determine whether local number portability has been enabled.        Where local number portability has been enable, the call manager        218 may issue a local number portability (LNP) query 511 to the        IP local number portability database 122. The IP local number        portability database 122 may then supply the call manager 218        with a routing number 512 if the dialed digits form a valid        sequence. Where the dialed digits do not form a valid sequence,        the call manager 218 will return an error indication to the        broadband residential gateway 300. The error designation may        include a tone and/or a more detailed error message for display        on, for example, display 338.    -   5. Where the call sequence is valid, the call manager 218 may        issue a first call proceeding message 513 to the broadband        residential gateway 300 indicating that the number is valid and        the call is proceeding (e.g., a valid on-hook condition).    -   6. Next, the call manager 218 typically determines whether        adequate network resources are available to carry the call. In        embodiments where the broadband residential gateway 300 is        connected to a hybrid fiber-coaxial plant 112, the call manager        218 may send an open gate allocation request 514 to the cable        modem transmission system 116. In this event, it is often        desirable for the cable modem transmission system 116 to provide        a gate allocation acknowledgement 515. A gate allocation        acknowledgement may be utilized to verify that the necessary        gate resources have been allocated.    -   7. The call manager 218 may send an open connection request 516        to the voice gateway (VG) 232 in order to provision the        connection. Once the connection is provisioned, the VG 232 may        provide an open connection acknowledgement 517 back to the call        manager 218.    -   8. For off network connections, it is often necessary to enter a        second phase of the connection process involving the appropriate        link signaling to establish a call. For example, the call        manager 218 may send an ISUP IAM (Initial Address) message 518        containing the directory number (DN) of the called party to the        signaling gateway (SG) 234. This process is often utilized to        allocate the appropriate voice trunk for communication. The call        manager 218 may also send an alerting message 519 to the        broadband residential gateway to produce an alerting signal,        e.g., a ringing tone. The signaling gateway 234 may make the        appropriate connections when the trunk has been allocated and        acknowledge the request with an ISUP A call manager (Address        Complete) message 520.    -   9. Once the called party has answered the call and connection is        established, the signaling gateway 234 may send an ISUP ANM        (Answered) message 521 to the call manager 218 indicating that        the called party has answered.    -   10. The call manager 218 may then send a call start message 522        to the accounting gateway (AG) 240, indicating the start of the        call. The AG 240 may use this information for billing purposes.    -   11. At this point, the link has been established and the        conversation 523 can proceed over the communications path. Note        that although signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling is used herein        to illustrate the present invention and is a well-known        signaling protocol utilized in the art of telephony        telecommunication, the instant invention is not limited to the        use of signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling for call establishment        of an off-network call; the use of signaling system 7 (SS7)        signaling is merely illustrative. As such, other methods of        signaling may be substituted for signaling system 7 (SS7).    -   11. When the called public switched telephone network user        terminates the link, an on hook signal may be sent to the        appropriate public switched telephone network switch, such as a        5ESS. The signaling network may then send a call termination        message (not shown) to the signaling gateway 234 as notification        of the call termination status.    -   12. The signaling gateway 234 may then generate a release 524        signal to the call manager 218.    -   13. Upon receipt of the release 524 signal, the call manager 218        may a) initiate the relinquishment of the provisioned network        resources by issuing a close connection 525 message to the voice        gateway (VG) 232 and a release complete 526 message to the        signaling gateway 234, b) inform the accounting gateway that the        call has been terminated, for billing purposes via, for example,        sending a call end 527 message to the accounting gateway 240.    -   14. With reference to the close connection 525 message, the        voice gateway may respond by issuing a report message 528 to the        call manager 218 containing the current status of the call.    -   15. On receiving the call status report 528, the call manager        218 may issue a delete connection 529 message to the broadband        residential gateway 300.    -   16. The broadband residential gateway 300 may then releases its        resources and sends a status report 530 to the call manager 218.        In addition to the report 530, the broadband residential gateway        300 may also send an on hook 531 status report to the call        manager 218.    -   17. The call manager 218 may then inform the broadband        residential gateway 300 to report the next off hook condition        via message 532.    -   18. Where a cable modem transmission system is utilized, the        call manager 218 may then issues a release gate 533 message to        the cable modem transmission system 116 so that all the modem        resources can be relinquished.

Once the gate resources have been released, the cable modem transmissionsystem 118 sends a release gate complete 534 message to the call manager218. At this point, all resources pertaining to the call have beenrelinquished.

C. Exemplary Call Flow of an On-Network Call to another On-Network User,Under One Call Manager Control

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary call flow of an on-network call toanother on-network user, with the call being handled by a single callmanager (CM) 218. In alternate embodiments, different portions of thecall set-up sequence may be handled by more than one call manager 218 inthe IP network 120. The exemplary “on-network” call processing sequenceoperates as follows:

-   -   1. Once the broadband residential gateway 300A detects and off        hook condition of, for example, a telephone, the broadband        residential gateway 300A may generate an off hook signal 607 to        the call manager (CM) 218. The off hook signal may act as a dial        tone request to the call manager 218.    -   2. The call manager 218 may then issue a dial tone message 608        to the requesting near-side broadband residential gateway 300A        in order for the broadband residential gateway 300A to generate        a dial tone.    -   3. The call manager 218 may then enter a state where it polls        and collects the dialed digits 609 from broadband residential        gateway 300A. The dialed digits are transferred to the call        manager 218 one at a time. In a similar fashion to the subject        matter discussed above, in embodiments where the call setup is        shared between the call manager 218 and the broadband        residential gateway 300A, the broadband residential gateway may        manage the call set-up and transfer both the off-hook signal and        the dialed digits to the call manager 218 within one or more.    -   4. On receiving the completed dialed digits, the call manager        218 may issue a local number portability query 610 to the IP        local number portability database 122. The IP local number        portability database 122 may then supply the call manager 218        with a routing number 611 if the dialed digits constitute a        valid sequence.    -   5. The call manager 218 may then ensure that adequate network        resources are available to accommodate the call.    -   6. Where adequate resources are available, the call manager 218        may issue a first setup message 612 to whatever mechanism        couples the far side broadband residential gateway 300, e.g.,        the cable modem transmission system 116B, to allocate        transmission resources on the far side.    -   7. A call proceeding message and a report on hook condition        message 613 may then be sent to the broadband residential        gateway 300A.    -   8. A gate allocation message 614 may then be sent from the call        manager 218 to the cable modem transmission system 116A, where        the broadband residential gateway 300A is coupled via a cable        modem transmission system. In this environment, a gate        allocation 614 message may be utilized to set up the relevant        modem resources.    -   9. Where a cable modem transmission system is utilized and        receives the setup message 612 from call manager 218, the cable        modem transmission system 116B may then send a connection        request 615 message to the far side broadband residential        gateway 300B.    -   10. Where a cable modem transmission system 116B is utilized,        the cable modem transmission system may then sends a setup        acknowledgement 616 to call manager 218. Once the resources are        allocated by the cable modem transmission system 116A, the cable        modem transmission system may then send a gate allocation        acknowledgement message 617 back to the call manager 218.    -   11. Once the call manager 218 receives the setup acknowledgement        616 along with the gate allocation acknowledgement message 617,        the far-side broadband residential gateway 300B may then send a        ringing message 618 to the far-side cable modem transmission        system 116B where this connectivity is utilized.    -   12. In these embodiments, the far-side cable modem transmission        system 116B may then issue an alerting message 619 to the call        manager 218.    -   13. The call manager 218 may then convey the alert via an        alerting message 620 to the broadband residential gateway 300A,        to produce an indicating signal such as a ringing signal        indicating that the call is going through.    -   14. The cable modem transmission system 116B may then issue a        connect message 622 to the call manager 218 in response to the        far-side broadband residential gateway 300B sending an off hook        message 621 to the far-side cable modem transmission system        116B. At this point, the end-to-end communication path is        established and conversation 623 can be facilitated.    -   15. Assuming that the calling party hangs up first, the        broadband residential gateway 300A may initiate an on hook        sequence 624 message which may be communicated to the near-side        cable modem transmission system 116A.    -   16. The cable modem transmission system 116A may then issue a        disconnect message 625 to the call manager (CM) 218. The call        manager 218 may then issue a first delete connection request 626        to the near-side broadband residential gateway 300A and then a        second delete connection request 627 to the far-side broadband        residential gateway 300B.    -   17. The near-side broadband residential gateway 300A may respond        to the call manager 218 with a report message 628 containing the        connection status, as well as an on hook message 630 to verify        that the calling party at near-side broadband residential        gateway 300A has terminated the call.    -   18. The far-side broadband residential gateway 300B may respond        to the call manager 218 with a report message 629 containing the        connection status, as well as an on hook message 631 indicating        that the called party connection has now been terminated.    -   19. At this point, the call manager 218 may issue release gate        messages 634 and 635 to the near-side cable modem transmission        system 218 and far side cable modem transmission system 116B,        respectively, so as to release the modems associated with the        call. Once all the resources have releases, the cable modem        transmission system 116A and the cable modem transmission system        116B may issue gate release complete messages 636 and 637        respectively to the call manager 218.    -   20. For simplicity, the accounting processing is not shown.        However, the process used in FIG. 5 may be utilized as the        billing procedure for on-net calls. Such a process might        constitute sending a call start message from the call manager        218 to an accounting gateway (AG) 240 after the connect message        622 is sent from the far-side cable modem transmission system        116B to call manager 218. The call start message would trigger        the start of the billing procedure. A corresponding call end        message would then be sent from the call manager 218 to the AG        240 after the near-side cable modem transmission system 116A        sends a the disconnect message 625 to the call manager 218. This        call end message would trigger the ending of the billing        procedure for that call.        Although the IP voice packets for these calls are typically        routed over the IP network 120, the system may, where        appropriate, route IP voice packets over the Internet 180.        II. BRG Greeting and Message Features and Multiple Line        Configurations

The BRG can be configured to satisfy individual customer needs. The BRGmay be configured to provide multiple telephone lines using a single DN.Also, the BRG may be configured so that it is associated with multipleDNs. The single DN configuration allows for multiple active telephonelines without increasing the number of DNs required. Thus, the demandfor additional DNs and the redistribution of DN area codes can bereduced. Furthermore, the telephone utility may charge a customer forevery DN allocated to the customer. Thus, the single DN configuration isa cost effective alternative to using multiple DNs for multipletelephone lines.

A first preferred embodiment utilizing the single DN configuration willbe described in conjunction with FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows four telephonyports 332, however, BRG 300 may be configured to include more or lessthan four telephony ports. The telephony port(s) may be configured, soexisting user POTS telephones 110 connect directly to BRG 300 throughRJ-11 connectors without modification. Additionally, the BRG may beconfigured, so digital ISDN telephones and IP telephones can beconnected to ports on the BRG. Each port may connect to one or more POTStelephones. Multiple POTS telephone units can connect to a telephonyport on the BRG with a conventional two-wire loop.

Incoming voice packets include a DN and an IP address. Each telephonyport on the BRG is associated with a distinct IP address. IP addressesfor each active BRG port are mapped to a single DN by the network forpacket routing purposes. Mapping of IP addresses is created andadministered by the CM. The CM maintains, in a database or table,mappings between directory numbers and IP addresses. When an incomingcall directed to a particular DN is received by the CM, the CM willquery the database or table for the associated IP address. The CM willattempt to route the incoming call to the associated IP address.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of the first preferred embodiment. In step400, the CM maps a directory number with the IP addresses of multipleports on the BRG. In step 401, an incoming call (IP voice packet) withthe directory number of BRG 300 arrives at BRG 300, shown as 1 in FIG.7. In step 402, BRG 300 is programmed to route all packets attempting toestablish a voice connection to a port connected to personal computer(PC) 333 (e.g. port 4), shown as 2 in FIG. 7. A PC-based sound card ortelephony card 334 is connected to PC 333. Port 4 rings PC 333, shown as3 in FIG. 7, and sound card 334 answers the call by playing a greetingin step 403. For example, the caller may be greeted with a salutation,which may be computer generated or pre-recorded, followed by a menu ofparties or extensions which can be reached via the BRG (e.g. “to reachMr. . . . , press or say 1”). In step 404, the caller selects the partyor extension attempting to be reached. Once a particular party orextension is selected, PC 333 determines which port is connected to thetelephone used by the selected party or extension, shown as 4 in FIG. 7.To determine which port has been selected, PC 333 includes software forassociating each party or extension with a telephony port 332 connectedto a telephone used by that party or extension. Additionally, a message,discussed below, may optionally be played after the party is selected.In step 405, PC 333 then instructs BRG 300, through the Ethernetconnection shown as 5, to direct the incoming call to the port connectedto the telephone associated with the party or extension the caller isattempting to reach. IP packets are then routed, shown as 6 in FIG. 7,to the respective port (in this case port 1). In step 406, thetelephone(s) connected to the selected port may distinctively ring, andBRG 300 may display and announce the identity of the selected port asdescribed below.

BRG 300 may be configured to distinctively ring telephone 110 connectedto a port on BRG 300, so the telephones may be distinguished by sound.For example, telephone 110 connected to port 1 will ring differentlythan a telephone connected to ports 2 or 3 on BRG 300. PC 333 isprogrammable to instruct BRG 300 to provide a distinctive ringassociated with one or more of the parties or extensions. BRG 300 may beused to provide distinctive ringing by controlling the timing of thevoltage applied to the port which causes telephone 110 to ring.Alternatively, a digital telephone or a programmable IP telephoneconnected to a port on BRG 300 may be programmed to provide adistinctive ring, or PC 333 may send a signal instructing the telephoneto ring distinctively. Also, if multiple digital or programmable IPtelephones are connected to a single port, BRG 300 may be programmed toaddress each phone individually to instruct each to ring distinctively.

Also, to provide a user friendly method for reaching a particularperson, each telephony port may have a unique identity, such as a name,number, or tone, which can be combined with the BRG greeting feature.For example, the BRG display 338 may indicate the name or extension ofthe selected party or extension. Also, the BRG may provide a computergenerated announcement of the name or extension of the party selected bythe caller using the external/internal Intercom Module (IM) 344. Also,the BRG may play a tone which is associated with the selected party orextension.

Additionally, BRG 300 may include a message feature. PC 333 can beprogrammed to play a message associated with the party or extensionselected by the caller. The message, for example, may instruct thecaller to leave a message for the party attempting to be reached orindicate the caller is unavailable.

The greeting and message provided by PC 333 may be customized byrecording from a digital phone, from a microphone attached to sound card334 in PC 333, or from a built in microphone in BRG 300. Additionally PC333 may store multiple greetings and messages, and PC 333 may beprogrammed to selectively use several greetings and messages. The usercan program PC 333 to use a particular greeting or message at particulartimes or use a particular greeting or message for incoming callsoriginating from particular DNs or IP addresses. Furthermore, BRG 300 isnot limited to providing greeting, message and routing functions throughPC 333. All functions performed by PC 333 may be provided using only BRG300. The BRG operating program store 330 may include instructions forperforming all the functions of PC 333.

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of a second preferred embodiment. The blockdiagram shown in FIG. 7 will also be used to describe the secondembodiment. In the second preferred embodiment, BRG 300 is identified bymultiple DNs. In step 500, IP addresses for each active BRG port aremapped to the multiple DNs by the CM for packet routing purposes. Thisembodiment may be advantageous, for example, when a user needs a privatenumber and business number allocated to the same premises. An incomingcall with a DN mapped to an IP address associated with the BRG isreceived in step 501. In this embodiment, BRG 300 directs an incomingcall similarly to the first embodiment. In step 502, an incoming call isdirected to a port connected to PC 333 (e.g. port 4). In step 503, PC333 provides a greeting which may prompt the caller to select a party orextension. The caller selects a port associated with the party orextension in step 504. After selecting the port, a message pertaining tothe party or extension may optionally be played. PC 333 then directs theincoming call to the port connected to the telephone associated with theselected party or extension (e.g. port 1) in step 505. In step 506, thetelephone(s) connected to the port will provide an alert to the incomingcall. The alert may be a distinctive ring. Also, the BRG may display orannounce the identity of the selected port. In this preferredembodiment, BRG 300 will direct incoming calls with any of the multipleDNs associated with the BRG to the port connected to the PC 333. Inaddition, PC 333 may be programmed to automatically associate aparticular port with a particular DN. Thus, the incoming call may beautomatically routed to a port associated with the DN without requiringthe caller to make a selection, as shown in step 507. Also, the secondpreferred embodiment may use the greeting and messaging featuresdescribed in the first preferred embodiment, and all functions performedby PC 333 may be provided using only BRG 300.

What has been described are the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms otherthan those disclosed in the preferred embodiments described above. Thismay be done without departing from the spirit of the invention, and thepreferred embodiments are merely illustrative and should not beconsidered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is givenby the appended claims, rather than the preceding description.

The following copending U.S. patent applications, originally filed thesame day as the present application, are hereby incorporated byreference:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,167 entitled “Automatic        Port Status Reporting and Selective Call Barge-in For a        Broadband Voice Over IP Telephony System and Method” invented by        Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,140, entitled “Automatic        Cable Phone Service Activation,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,141, entitled “Broadband        Cable Telephony Network Architecture IP ITN Network Architecture        Reference Model,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,142, entitled “IP        Conference Call Waiting” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,143, entitled        “Conference Server for Automatic X-Way Call Port Expansion        Feature”, invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,197, entitled “Wireless        Touch Screen Television,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,195, entitled        “Programmable Feature Buttons on a Broadband Residential        Gateway,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,745, entitled “Automatic        Call Manager Traffic Gate Feature,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,201, entitled “Local        Number Portability Database for On-net IP Call,” invented by        Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,747, entitled “Personal        IP Follow Me Service,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,194, entitled “Personal        IP Toll-Free Number,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,196, entitled “User        Programmable Port Hunting in an IP Based Customer Premise        Equipment,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,146, entitled “IP Leased        Line,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,160, entitled “Anonymous        Call Rejection,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,161, entitled “Automatic        Callback With Distinctive Ringing,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,162, entitled “IP        Multimedia Call Blocking,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,144, entitled “IP Call        Forward Profile,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,671, entitled “IP Call        Forward Follow Me,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,670, entitled “Enhanced        BRG with Display Capabilities,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,672, entitled “Hand Held        Integrated IP Device,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/472,292, entitled “Wireless        Settop Box,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,145, entitled “BRG        PCMCIA Card Cable Ready for PCs,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/476,494, entitled “Broadband        Service Access,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,798, entitled “Method        for Providing Broadband Public IP Services,” invented by Kung et        al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,797, entitled “Method        For Billing IP Broadband Subscribers,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,165, entitled “BRG With        PBX Capabilities,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,783, entitled “Enhanced        IP Subscriber Alerting,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,782, entitled “Chase Me        System,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,673, entitled “Call Hold        With Reminder and Information Push,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,293, entitled “Activity        Log For Improved Call Efficiency,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,779, entitled “Selective        Information Admission,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,166, entitled “User        Programmable Fail-proof IP Hotline/Warm-line,” invented by Kung        et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/476,493, entitled        “Authentication of Broadband IP Telephony Service,” invented by        Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,667, entitled        “Simplified IP Service Control,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,661, entitled “Protected        IP Telephony Calls Using Encryption (P.I.E—Protected IP        Encryption),” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,294, entitled        “Integrated Multimedia Messaging Service,” invented by Kung et        al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,666, entitled “Remote        Monitoring Through the BRG,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,296, entitled “Cable        Headend System with Pseudo-Switching Capabilities,” invented by        Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,287, entitled “A Method        for Performing Roaming Across Multiple IP networks,” invented by        Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,662, entitled “Scalable        VoIP network Server For Low Cost PBX,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,288, entitled “Call        Services Transfer,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,204, entitled “Multiple        Call Waiting in a Packetized Communication System,” invented by        Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,205, entitled        “Optimizing Voice Paths in an IP Telephony Network,” invented by        Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,203, entitled “Call        Waiting and Forwarding in a Packetized Communication System,”        invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,202, entitled “Incoming        Call Identification in IP Telephony,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,290, entitled “Incoming        IP Call Remote Party Data,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,295, entitled “Personal        User Network (Closed User Network) PUN,CUN,” invented by Kung et        al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,668, entitled “IP        Address Interworking Unit (IAIU) For Automatic IP V4 to V6        Address Translation,” invented by Kung et al.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,669, entitled “Automatic        Off-Hook Recovery and Fail-Proof Call Delivery,” invented by        Kung et al.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single physical device comprising: multipleports associated with respective extensions, the multiple portscomprising interface circuitry and connectors to be connectedrespectively to multiple Internet Protocol (IP) phones; a transceivercomprising a register to facilitate data transfer across an IP basedpacket network; and a processing unit coupled to a memory; wherein saidmemory comprises instructions to: respond to an incoming call comprisingan IP voice packet with a greeting that includes a prompt to select anextension; and route packets received in said incoming call by saidtransceiver from said Internet Protocol based packet network to one ofsaid multiple IP phones via a port among the multiple ports associatedwith a respective extension selected by an end user in response to saidgreeting.
 2. The single physical device of claim 1, wherein saidprocessing unit is configured to provide a message after said greeting,said message being associated with said respective extension selected inresponse to said greeting.
 3. The single physical device of claim 2,wherein at least one of said greeting or said message is customizedbased on an IP address from which said incoming call originates.
 4. Thesingle physical device of claim 2, wherein said processing unitselectively provides said greeting and message from among storedmultiple greetings and messages.
 5. The single physical device of claim1, wherein at least one IP phone provides a distinct alert.
 6. Thesingle physical device of claim 1 being programmed to instruct each IPphone to ring distinctively.
 7. The single physical device of claim 1wherein the processing unit is further configured to: announce a name orthe respective extension selected by the end user.
 8. The singlephysical device of claim 7 further comprising: an intercom module toprovide an announcement of the name or the respective extension.
 9. Thesingle physical device of claim 1 further comprising: an intercom moduleto provide an intercom connection to another device at a remotelocation.
 10. The single physical device of claim 1 wherein the memoryfurther comprises instructions to: detect unused telephone(s); andgenerate a special intercom tone on the unused telephone(s).
 11. Thesingle physical device of claim 1 wherein: the single physical device iscompatible with signaling protocol SIP, to support telephonyapplications.
 12. The single physical device of claim 1 furthercomprising: one or more wireless interface modules for interconnectingwith wireless devices.
 13. A single physical device comprising: multipleports identified by multiple designations, the multiple ports comprisinginterface circuitry and connectors to be connected respectively tomultiple Internet Protocol (IP) phones; a transceiver comprising aregister to facilitate data transfer across an IP based packet network;and a processing unit coupled to a memory; wherein the memory comprisesinstructions to: respond to an incoming call comprising an IP voicepacket with a greeting; and in response to receipt of selection of oneof the multiple designations, from the Internet Protocol based packetnetwork, route packets received in the incoming call to one of themultiple ports, depending on the selection made by an end user using thegreeting.
 14. The single physical device of claim 13, wherein saidprocessing unit provides a message after said one of said multiple portsis selected.
 15. The single physical device of claim 14, wherein saidgreeting and said message are customized based on an IP address fromwhich said incoming call originates.
 16. The single physical device ofclaim 14, wherein said processing unit selectively provides saidgreeting and message from among stored multiple greetings and messages.17. The single physical device of claim 13, wherein at least one IPphone provides a distinct alert.
 18. The single physical device of claim13 being programmed to instruct each IP phone to ring distinctively. 19.The single physical device of claim 13 wherein at least one of saidmultiple designations is a directory number.
 20. The single physicaldevice of claim 13 wherein the processing unit is further configured to:announce a name or extension selected by the end user.
 21. The singlephysical device of claim 20 further comprising: an intercom module toprovide an announcement of the name or extension.
 22. The singlephysical device of claim 13 further comprising: an intercom module toprovide an intercom connection to another device at a remote location.23. The single physical device of claim 13 wherein the memory furthercomprises instructions to: detect unused telephone(s); and generate aspecial intercom tone on the unused telephone(s).
 24. The singlephysical device of claim 13 wherein: the single physical device iscompatible with signaling protocol SIP, to support telephonyapplications.
 25. The single physical device of claim 13 furthercomprising: one or more wireless interface modules for interconnectingwith wireless devices.
 26. The single physical device of claim 13wherein: the greeting comprises a menu of parties or extensions.
 27. Amethod of operating at least a single physical device, the methodcomprising: responding to an incoming call comprising an IP voice packetwith a greeting that includes a prompt to select an extension; wherein atransceiver in the single physical device comprises a register tofacilitate data transfer across an IP based packet network from whichthe incoming call is received; wherein multiple ports of the singlephysical device are associated with respective extensions including saidextension and the multiple ports comprise interface circuitry andconnectors to be connected respectively to multiple Internet Protocol(IP) phones; and routing packets received in said incoming call by saidtransceiver, from said Internet Protocol based packet network to one ofsaid multiple IP phones, via a port among the multiple ports, the portbeing associated with a respective extension selected by an end user inresponse to said greeting.
 28. The method of claim 27 furthercomprising: providing a message after said greeting, said message beingassociated with said respective extension selected in response to saidgreeting.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein: at least one of saidgreeting or said message is customized based on an IP address from whichsaid incoming call originates.
 30. The method of claim 28 furthercomprising: selectively providing said greeting and message from amongstored multiple greetings and messages.
 31. The method of claim 27wherein: at least one IP phone provides a distinct alert.
 32. The methodof claim 27 further comprising: instructing each IP phone to ringdistinctively.
 33. The method of claim 27 further comprising: announcinga name or the respective extension selected by the end user.
 34. Themethod of claim 33 further comprising: providing an announcement of thename or the respective extension.
 35. The method of claim 27 furthercomprising: providing an intercom connection to another device at aremote location.
 36. The method of claim 27 further comprising:detecting unused telephone(s); and generating a special intercom tone onthe unused telephone(s).
 37. The method of claim 27 wherein: the singlephysical device is compatible with signaling protocol SIP, to supporttelephony applications.
 38. The method of claim 27 wherein: the singlephysical device comprises one or more wireless interface modules forinterconnecting with wireless devices.
 39. The method of claim 27wherein: said single physical device is hereinafter a first singlephysical device; the incoming call originates in a second singlephysical device; and the method further comprises establishing anend-to-end communication path between the second single physical deviceand the first single physical device.
 40. A method of operating at leasta single physical device, the method comprising: responding to anincoming call comprising an IP voice packet with a greeting; wherein atransceiver in the single physical device comprises a register tofacilitate data transfer across an IP based packet network from whichthe incoming call is received; wherein multiple ports of the singlephysical device are identified by multiple designations, and themultiple ports comprise interface circuitry and connectors to beconnected respectively to multiple Internet Protocol (IP) phones; and inresponse to receipt of selection of one of said multiple designationsfrom said Internet Protocol based packet network, routing packetsreceived in said incoming call to one of said multiple ports dependingon the selection made by an end user using said greeting.
 41. The methodof claim 40 wherein: at least one of said multiple designations is adirectory number.
 42. The method of claim 40 further comprising:providing a message after said one of said multiple ports is selected.43. The method of claim 40 wherein: said greeting is customized based onan IP address from which said incoming call originates.
 44. The methodof claim 40 wherein: said greeting is selectively provided from amongstored multiple greetings.
 45. The method of claim 40 wherein: at leastone IP phone provides a distinct alert.
 46. The method of claim 40further comprising: instructing each IP phone to ring distinctively. 47.The method of claim 40 further comprising: announcing a name orextension selected by the end user.
 48. The method of claim 47 furthercomprising: providing an announcement of the name or extension.
 49. Themethod of claim 40 further comprising: providing an intercom connectionto another device at a remote location.
 50. The method of claim 40further comprising: detecting unused telephone(s); and generating aspecial intercom tone on the unused telephone(s).
 51. The method ofclaim 40 wherein: the single physical device is compatible withsignaling protocol SIP, to support telephony applications.
 52. Themethod of claim 40 wherein: the single physical device comprises one ormore wireless interface modules for interconnecting with wirelessdevices.
 53. The method of claim 40 wherein: said single physical deviceis hereinafter a first single physical device; the incoming calloriginates in a second single physical device; and the method furthercomprises establishing an end-to-end communication path between thesecond single physical device and the first single physical device. 54.The method of claim 40 wherein: the greeting comprises a menu of partiesor extensions.